Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says comments he made about when a woman should lose her virginity were meant only as advice for his three daughters.

When asked by the Australian Women's Weekly in a wide-ranging interview published today what advice he would give his daughters on sex before marriage, Mr Abbott replied that he would advise them not to give away their virginity lightly.

"I think I would say to my daughters if they were to ask me this question ... it is the greatest gift that you can give someone, the ultimate gift of giving, and don't give it to someone lightly," he said.

The interview sparked an attack from Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard who said women do not want to be lectured by Mr Abbott and his comments will confirm their "worst fears" about him.

But Mr Abbott has told 2GB Radio that he was not talking to the "world at large" and Ms Gillard "obviously hasn't read the piece".

"I was trying to honestly answer a series of questions and as the parent of teenage kids I wrestle with these things, I think all parents do," he said.

"The last thing would want to do is impose my views on the wider world. But in my position I think I've got to be honest and upfront about what my views are."

Mr Abbott admitted his comments, which have been widely reported, had already got him into trouble.

But he says he gets hit with moral questions more than other politicians because he spent three years training to be a priest.

Mr Abbott, who for over two decades thought he had fathered a child to his university girlfriend, said yesterday he was the first to admit he had a "chequered past".

Mr Abbott has in the past attracted criticism from some women over his comments on contraception and abortion.

In the interview Mr Abbott again canvasses the issue, saying he never argued that abortion should be re-criminalised.

"All I have ever said was that I would like to see fewer abortions," he said.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd declined to buy into the debate when questioned on 5AA radio today, saying it is up to individuals to make decisions on their personal life.

"I don't think my job as Prime Minister is to provide individual, personal, moral advice to the young people of Australia," he said.

"That's something for them themselves to sort out with their friends, with their families, with their mums with their dads."

Oppositon frontbencher Senator George Brandis has defended Mr Abbott, saying just because someone is a politician it does not mean they cannot comment on moral issues.

"He was asked a question, he gave a direct answer," he told ABC Local Radio.

"I think that most parents, in fact any parent I can think of, would agree with what Tony Abbott said.

But Government frontbencher Craig Emerson says by making his remarks public Mr Abbott has directed them towards all women.

"He made a general set of remarks and this confirms the worst fear of many Australians," he said.